Thursday, April 21, 2011

Game Changers VS Remind insoles

I didn't purposely put this review up after 4/20, but I guess in retrospect it was a good idea. For those recovering from those forgetful activities, you'll have all the time in the world to read this review without forgetting it within the next hour.

During the month of skating these insoles, I found that reviewing this topic was going to be completely challenging. It's a different world than reviewing shoes; with shoes it's always been more cosmetic and you yourself can judge visually how the shoe performed to your standards. This review is going to be strictly from my point of view. I actually accept this challenge willingly after going through countless injuries within this past year. I've been looking for a solution or at least a prolonged fix until the day we all have universal healthcare. While reviewing these insoles, I generated a list of things to do in order to test the protection and promise these companies make with each of it's sales.

Disclaimer: I bought all of these insoles myself so I am not favoring either company and I don't want to hear anything about me working for whichever company I favor at the end of this review. I only mention this because it's happened to a fellow blogger who has his own review on this topic, be sure to check it out:SO TRILL

Remind insoles:
When I started this review the choice in my head was clear that Remind was easily going to win this war despite the guarantee that Game Changers promise. Remind insoles give you 2 size's in thickness to choose from: 1/16 thin line and a 3/16 cush insole. I appreciate having more than one choice when it comes to choosing an insoles as I'm assuming you will. But don't be taken by those quirky names or numbers, the "cush" insole is thicker in arch and foot bed support, but still carries the same gel insert as the 1/16 "thin line" insole. The technical design of both insoles are similar but have significant differences. The black area serves the same purposes for both types, but the black area surrounding Remind insoles have a stronger and stiffer feel, for what I believe to be for those annoying primo slams. Another advantage to buying Remind insoles are the simplicity of it, you simply slide them in your shoes and you're ready to skate. I found no need to trim these insoles and the break in process seemed effortless, I honestly don't remember thinking "These are uncomfortable and this is lame". Remind insoles are a quality product for those looking to find some comfort in knowing that they may prolong any further injury from skateboarding and at $30 dollars you can't really complain. Plus Tim Tim and Chico are backing them so thumbs up for Remind Insoles.

Footprint Game Changers insoles:
I honestly didn't agree with the marketing that Game Changers had at all. Kids see all of these big name skaters backing a product and of course most kids are going to swarm towards Game Changers and the name alone stated a bit much for me. "Game Changers"? I'm not any better or worse than since I started this review but before I start sounding like I'm blasting hatred towards Game Changers let me start my review.

Regardless of whether I agree with the name and marketing tools, Game Changers bring a lot of important and different elements to the table. I consider myself very old fashion and enjoyed the fact that this is a product that you have to put just as much into in order to get the most out of it. I'm describing the labor needed to fully function these insoles. Sure, you have to watch the video over and over again to please your OCD and make sure you did everything right. After all, you bought these insoles for $50 and if you screw it up, the insoles are going to stay in place (not likely) as is and you're assed out. Overall the actual process isn't as complicated as I'm making it seem. The only thing slowing you down from skating these insoles right away is the fact that there is going to be some trimming involved. It'll be difficult at first but I'd suggest actually taking your time with this process before watering. Obviously, you don't want to take off too much or too little. This to me was probably more important than the watering process because I aimed for comfort the whole time. Once you're done with the watering, mixing and walking around for 3 minutes, it's time to get the skating going. When I started skating Game Changers, I thought that I did screw the process up because I felt a large lump in my arch area and it wasn't necessarily uncomfortable but it was unsettling. But when I thought about it more and more, I realized that these insoles are actually forming to my foot and obviously my foot has an arch that had gone unnoticed for a while. That unsettling feeling at first turned out to be a blessing and actually put my feet back into place. The footbed has a similar thickness as the 3/16 cush insole from Remind and the black "primo" area has a much softer hardness that comforts your foot into shoe providing a settling feeling every time. There is no gel insert for Game Changers and this is probably where this product will lose points but even so, I find the fit and cushioning accommodating enough for a set of stairs.

Overall thoughts:
Both of these insoles will continue to sell and I believe this new trend in skateboarding is most definitely a blessing. Both of these companies provided superior support all around and are worthy of your hard earned money. Truthfully, this review and the combination of both insoles has helped relieve some of my knee problems and the soreness that I'd normally feel after a long day of skating, has drastically disappeared. At the end of the day the choice in insoles comes down to personal preference. Even though both companies are aiming for your almighty 'ollar (for those who get that, you're awesome) I urge you to really think about what insoles are better for you. Hopefully, I provided enough insight and information for you to be able to gather an educated thought about which product is better for you. I've gone to all extents of testing with the exception of doing this but I have skated both insoles with and without socks, walked around more with the recent change of weather and even went as far as going to the gym with both of these insoles. I ran over 30 mins in hopes of finding out which one was better but there is obviously no clear winner.

It's all about your preference, every one skates differently, weighs differently and uses there bodies differently. If you honestly want my opinion which insole I found performed better for me, just know that I hardly skate stairs, it's strictly ledges, flat ground and the occasional gap. I also weigh a bit more than the average skater but you can thank my spanish mother for that. Overall, I found Game Changers a little better for me. Yes, it didn't have a gel insert but after walking in both insoles over a extended period of time I found Game Changers have a little bit more of what I needed personally. No, I didn't feel any weight taken off my back and no, I'm not amazing at skating since skating Game Changers but now that you know some honest true, I hope you can pick an insole that performs for you and still helps you perform to the best of your abilities. Please don't get the impression that I'm going to throw my Remind insoles away. They're an amazing product and affordable at that, which is one of the many reasons for you to pick those insoles, but I'd suggest really getting the most info out of both brands before buying either.

Special shout-out goes to Sal Puglisi for getting hooked up by AMBIG and Lil' Chris for getting put on by Satori Wheels. Good shit guys, we're really proud of you!

Footprint Insoles are way better than Remind. I tried them both too. It's funny because the Remind Insoles are actually thinner at the heel because they have a hole in the bottom layer. plus there is no comparison with the arch support. The Remind ones don't truly custom shape to your arch.

To each his own... I personally like Remind Insoles much better. Formed to my feet perfectly. Heel support is really good... I think it's all personally preference. I like to have more heel protection when I skate.

cant wait for my game changers to come in!! After getting a lot of info about each product iv concluded that footprint seems better. No not bcuz of the "celebrity" testimonials but because they just seem lik an all around better product as far as quality goes. im sure reminds are super good but footprint just seems like something id appreciate a bit more.

dude no bullshit! the gamechangers are so effing legit bruh i have them i cant complain! i dont get heal bruises anymore and i put the insole in every shoe i have now . after you first get it and it feels wierd to have a insole that actually fits your foot how its suppose to. but after you wear them i sware you cant go back to a stock insole. if you wear a stock insole your like damn i can feel a huge difference then when you go back to gamechanger you feel that arch and your like aaah there you are! thats what was missing so if i can sway anones decision i have to say get game changers! not because of preference or any of that malarky! just because they are flat out better. point blank period. its a fact. The End. Enjoy them fellas you wont regret it

hey dude, cheers for the review, found it really helpful. But different brands set aside, do custom insoles make THAT much of a differnce compared to stock insoles... ie given that you had to go out for a session right now with your stock insoles in would you be thinking "fuck, i'm gunna struggle" or would you b totaly fine?Also if you were to layer the gamechangers with the kingfoams would you lose a lot of boardfeel? as much as i like comfort and support i dont wanna sacrifice boardfeel...

In my mind Custom insoles are somewhat necessary in today's skateboarding market. They are definitely nice to just have around, kinda like a insurance policy. Sure, you're a decent driver but you're not going drive without insurance. The plateau is constantly rising in skateboarding and kids just so happen to want to chuck themselves down anything nowadays. If that point isn't convincing enough, I'll go ahead and say that the quality in skate shoes has taken a steep downfall. Sure, companies will comply with skateboarders and give them thinner shoes but that doesn't make it right. We as consumers should demand more from these companies considering how often skateboarders invest into skate shoes. This is why I started RL's in the first place, to try to educate consumers and peers to get quality for the right price.

I'd suggest to use any skateboarder owned and operated insoles after severely trying out the stock insoles. Truthfully, if you work a full time job, especially one that has you standing on your feet all day, I wouldn't suggest but strictly insist that you buy some insoles. Asap!

No, Do not put the Gamechangers and King Foam together. Footprint insole technology is already in the process of creating a happy medium insole/foam fusion that could possibly be the best product they've ever put out. Designers and workers are already in China figuring out the use of different foams and synthetics but shhhhh! I didn't say shit!

I don't have an exact date of when the Gamechanger X King Foam insoles are hitting the market but I'm just as excited for them.

Truthfully, I didn't have any plans of reviewing the eS Ecosse but I was thinking of doing the Mandersons.

Funny enough, I'm a wide footed size 1 and am always having this problem. The Supra Skytop 3 is a bit narrow at first but after 1 day of wearing them out, they broke in immediately. Check em out. The Skytop 3 review is due this week, I'll keep you guys posted.

Went and got my back fixed today by a chiropractor. Due to a previous sport related injury I've been having difficulties skateboarding with chronic back pain. The point that I'm getting at is that my chiropractor pointed out my feet have a nice arc but they go flat when I stand. He recommended I buy some insoles to support it, or else my ankles and feet will be fucked when I'm older if it gets worse.

All I can say is that the "game changers" look like the perfect solution for my feet.

I got sold on the Gamechangers and got myself a pair. I was really disappointed in the performance. When I put the water in them it made them really hard, especially in the heel. I tore them apart to see what was going on and the foam in there turned into a hard completely packed down thin substance. There was not the slightest bit of cushioning at all. Straight heel on top of plastic. Also the whole process was kinda annoying. I haven't tried the Reminds out yet but I think that could be more what I'm looking for.

The new version of Game Changers (2.0 with King Foam) are now for sale at the Foot Print bigcartel.

I have been using OtheraFIT from Costco and they have a preformed arch built in with some foam. And a bonus "just arch" pair for "business shoes". But they also work in skate shoes with tight toe boxes (like eS Ecosse).

I used the full length pair in a set of Romero Cupsoles and it transformed them from flat and painful to ultra comfortable. Better board control because the added volume cut out side to side tilt/slop. The heel only pair turned Ecosse from painful to useful. They were awful the first few days (too tight and my heel popped out every step or push) even with so called "heel lockdown" technology". Now both pairs are as pain free as good running shoes. Less padding, but all the arch issues were eliminated. I can now walk in them where before I just wore skate shoes purely for skating.

I bet GameChangers 2.0 will best the Costco special OrtheraFIT ($29.99 for both) as the arch is custom fit.

I will never wear any skate shoe without an added arch support anymore. The improvement in board control and ability to skate pain free for as long as I want is mindblowing. I thought I was just getting older and wearing out. But just by addressing my foot structure (medium high arch) I am back to my feet feeling like a teenager. Never an issue.

They help out with manuals too. As the foot is truly stable and balance point doesn't shift mid trick.

Looking forward to your next reviews. Both on the Hsu 2 fusion and FP Gamechanger 2.0. They are still $34.99!!! Awesome price for an essential item for anybody with A significant arch.

The gamechangers dont fit my shoes at all. I wear vans/nikes/converse/small vulcs. I've trimmed them pretty much and yet they're still wringling in my shoes. Every step I make, I head my shoe squeak because of the insole not being totally on the bottom of the shoe. is there a way to fix this? I've paid a shitload for these insoles but I can't skate in them.

The new Remind Insoles Blow the other insoles out of the water...I've tried all the rest... They don't even come close. Footprints fall apart and feel like my foot is swollen. ECT's have no arch support and are super heavy. The Remind Medics and Cush are amazing. They obviously know what they are doing over there as they have been around way longer then the others